Multidimensional alignment spacing for toy building elements

ABSTRACT

An adapter building element includes a first side and a second side. The first side includes a plurality of coupling elements of a first type, at least two of the coupling elements of the first type arranged in a 1 building unit (BU) grid on the first side and at least one of the coupling elements of the first type arranged in a fractional BU grid on the first side. The second side includes a plurality of coupling elements of a second type, at least two of the coupling elements of the second type arranged in the 1 BU grid on the second side and at least one of the coupling elements of the second type arranged in the fractional BU grid on the second side. The second type of coupling element is configured to form an interference fit with the first type of coupling element.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/188,641, filed Feb. 24, 2014, now allowed, and titledMULTIDIMENSIONAL ALIGNMENT SPACING FOR TOY BUILDING ELEMENTS, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed subject matter relates to combinable toy building elementsand toy construction sets including the building elements.

BACKGROUND

Children and adults enjoy interacting with and collecting toys. Toysthat may be assembled, disassembled, reassembled, and reconfigured arehistorically popular and educational. These toys help develop hand-eyecoordination, fine motor skills, and stimulate creativity whileproviding endless hours of enjoyment and entertainment for children andadults alike.

In particular, construction toys that include interlocking andconnecting plastic building elements promote creative and imaginativeplay by end users. Typically, plastic building elements attach to eachother or interlock using an array of small cylindrical bumps or “studs”on the surface of one building element that fit into an array of holesor recesses on the surface of another building element. In general, thesize and spacing of the studs and holes are standardized to enableattachment among various types of building elements and accessories thatcan be included in one or more construction toy kits.

A construction toy kit can include a standard set of pieces that allowend users to design and create a variety of different constructs inaddition to specialized pieces. A construction toy kit also may provideinstructions for using certain pieces to build a particular construct.In some cases, construction toy kits can be associated with particularthemes for assembling constructs representing historical, contemporary,futuristic, or fictional objects, structures, vehicles, and creatures.

SUMMARY

In one general aspect, special multidimensional spacing of buildingelements in a toy construction system are provided for combinations ofbuilding elements in both standard and offset alignments. In addition,special building elements provide various multidimensional alignmentsbetween standard building elements.

In another general aspect, a building element of a toy constructionsystem includes a first wall positioned in a first plane having an innerand outer surface; a perimeter wall extending orthogonally from thefirst wall; a cavity defined by the combination of the first wall andthe perimeter wall; a plurality of male coupling elements of a couplingsize extending from the outer surface of the first wall, the malecoupling elements arranged in a 1 building unit (BU) grid on the outersurface; and a plurality of female coupling elements of the couplingsize arranged in the cavity in a fractional BU grid, the fractional BUgrid positioning a number of the plurality of female coupling elementsto receive multiple male coupling elements of another building elementin alignment with the 1 BU grid of the plurality of male couplingelements and positioning a number of the plurality of female couplingelements to receive multiple male coupling elements of another buildingelement in a fractional alignment offset from the 1 BU grid of theplurality of male coupling elements in a single dimension of the firstplane.

The fractional BU grid may position a number of the plurality of femalecoupling elements to receive multiple male coupling elements of anotherbuilding element in a fractional alignment offset from the 1 BU grid ofthe plurality of male coupling elements in a single dimension of thefirst plane in either of a first dimension of the plane or a seconddimension of the plane.

The fractional BU grid also may position a number of the plurality offemale coupling elements to receive multiple male coupling elements ofanother building element in a fractional alignment offset from the 1 BUgrid of the plurality of male coupling elements in a single dimension ofthe first plane in either of a first dimension of the plane or a seconddimension of the plane and simultaneously in both the first and thesecond dimensions of the first plane.

The fractional BU grid may be a ½ BU grid.

The arrangement of the plurality of female coupling elements of thecoupling size in the cavity in the fractional BU grid may include anarrangement of the female coupling elements in at least one row and aplurality of columns, the row and the columns ½ BU wide, and the row andthe columns arranged corresponding to one of the first and the seconddimensions of the plane.

The arrangement of the plurality of female coupling elements of thecoupling size in the cavity in the fractional BU grid also may includean arrangement of the female coupling elements in a plurality of rowsand a plurality of columns, the row and the columns ½ BU wide, the rowsand the columns arranged corresponding to one of the first and thesecond dimensions of the plane.

The plurality of female coupling elements may include at least one gridelement providing a point of clutch in the plurality of female couplingelement. The grid elements may be arranged in the cavity according to analignment grid in which the grid elements are positioned according tothe intersections of the grid alignment lines defining the alignmentgrid. In one example, the lines of the grid alignment are ½ BU apart inboth dimensions of the first plane.

The grid elements may include at least one of a rib element, a post, andan end portion of a wall.

The female coupling element may include a rib element formed on aninterior side of the perimeter wall providing a point of clutch for amale coupling element received by the female coupling element.

At least one female coupling element of the plurality of female couplingelements may include a plurality of rib elements formed on at least twointerior sides of the perimeter wall, each rib element providing a pointof clutch for a male coupling element received by the corresponding atleast on female coupling element.

At least one female coupling element of the plurality of female couplingelements also may include a post extending orthogonally from an interiorside of the first wall into the cavity, the post providing a point ofclutch for a male coupling element received by the corresponding atleast on female coupling element.

At least one female coupling element of the plurality of female couplingelements also may include four posts extending orthogonally from aninterior side of the first wall into the cavity, each post providing apoint of clutch for a male coupling element received by thecorresponding at least on female coupling element.

At least one female coupling element of the plurality of female couplingelements also may include an end portion of a wall providing a point ofclutch for a male coupling element received by the corresponding atleast on female coupling element.

The male coupling element may be a cylindrical stud.

The building element also may include another male coupling element ofthe coupling size extending from the outer surface of the first wallelements arranged according to a fractional BU grid on the outersurface, wherein the another male coupling element is fractionallyoffset in at least a single dimension of the first plane.

In another general aspect, a toy building set includes a set of buildingelements, at least a plurality of the building elements including malecoupling elements of a coupling size and female coupling elements of thecoupling size, the male and female coupling elements arranged in astandard 1 building unit (BU) grid; and an adapter building elementincluding: a plurality of male coupling elements of the coupling sizeextending from an outer surface of the adapter building element, themale coupling elements arranged in a 1 BU grid on a plane the outersurface; and a plurality of female coupling elements of the couplingsize arranged in the building element in a fractional BU grid, thefractional BU grid positioning one or more of the plurality of femalecoupling elements to receive male coupling elements of another buildingelement in alignment with the 1 BU grid of the plurality of malecoupling elements and positioning one or more of the plurality of femalecoupling elements to receive male coupling elements of another buildingelement in a fractional alignment offset from the 1 BU grid of theplurality of male coupling elements in a single dimension correspondingto the plane of the outer surface.

The adapter building element when coupled to one or more female couplingelements of a first one of the plurality of building elements andsimultaneously coupled to one or male coupling of a second one of theplurality of building elements may offset the 1 BU grid of the first oneof the plurality of building elements from the 1 BU grid of the secondone of the plurality of building elements by a fraction of a BU in asingle dimension corresponding to the plane of the outer surface of theadapter building element.

The 1 BU grid may be an arrangement of the plurality of male couplingelements in one or more rows and columns parallel to the first andsecond dimensions of the first plane where the centers of any twoadjacent male coupling elements of the arrangement in any one dimensionare 1 BU apart. In addition, 1 BU may be the base distance between thecenters of any two adjacent male coupling elements of the plurality ofmale coupling elements in a row or column.

In yet another general aspect, a toy building set comprising a pluralityof toy building elements, wherein the plurality of toy building elementscomprise an adapter building element comprising: a first wall positionedin a first plane having an inner and outer surface; a perimeter wallextending orthogonally from the first wall; a cavity defined by thecombination of the first wall and the perimeter wall; a plurality ofmale coupling elements of a first coupling size extending from the outersurface of the first wall, the male coupling elements arranged in a 1building unit (BU) grid on the outer surface; and a plurality of femalecoupling elements of the first coupling size arranged in the cavity in afractional BU grid, the fractional BU grid positioning a number of theplurality of female coupling elements to receive multiple male couplingelements of another building element in alignment with the 1 BU grid ofthe plurality of male coupling elements and positioning a number of theplurality of female coupling elements to receive multiple male couplingelements of another building element in a fractional alignment offsetfrom the 1 BU grid of the plurality of male coupling elements in asingle dimension of the first plane.

Other features will be apparent from the description, the drawings, andthe claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates an example of a spatial relationship in buildingunits of a toy building element.

FIG. 1B illustrates another example of a spatial relationship inbuilding units of a toy building element.

FIG. 2A is a top perspective view of an example of a building elementthat includes coupling recesses of the first coupling size configured tocouple with male coupling elements of the first coupling size of anotherbuilding element in both a standard coupling grid and a non-standardoffset coupling grid.

FIG. 2B is a bottom view of the example of the building element shown inFIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is an alternative bottom view of the example of the exemplarybuilding element shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A shows a bottom view of an example of the coupling of twobuilding elements in a standard alignment.

FIG. 3B shows a bottom view of an example of the coupling of twobuilding elements an offset alignment in the x dimension.

FIG. 3C shows a bottom view of an example of the coupling of twobuilding elements an offset alignment in the x dimension.

FIG. 3D shows a bottom view of an example of the coupling of twobuilding elements an offset alignment in the x and z dimensions.

FIG. 4A is a top view of an example of building element in the form of ajumper plate.

FIG. 4B is a front view of the jumper plate of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a side view of the jumper plate of FIGS. 4A and 4B.

FIG. 4D is a back view of the jumper plate of FIGS. 4A-C.

FIG. 4E shows an upper perspective view of the jumper plate of FIGS.4A-D.

FIG. 5A is a bottom view of one underside configuration for the jumperplate of FIGS. 4A-E.

FIG. 5B is a lower perspective view of the bottom of the jumper plateshown in FIG. 5A.

FIGS. 5C and 5D show a bottom view of an example of the jumper plate ofFIGS. 4A-5B with a grid illustrating how male coupling elements combinewith the jumper plate.

FIG. 6A is a bottom view of an alternative underside configuration forthe jumper plate of FIGS. 4A-E.

FIG. 6B is a lower perspective view of an example of the bottom of thejumper plate shown in FIG. 6A.

FIGS. 6C, 6D, and 6E show a bottom view of examples of a jumper plate ofFIGS. 4A-4E, 6A, and 6B with a grid illustrating how male couplingelements combine with the jumper plate.

FIG. 6F shows a blow up of the grid element alignment lines and a crosssection of an end portion.

FIG. 7A is a bottom view of an alternative underside configuration forthe jumper plate of FIGS. 4A-E.

FIG. 7B is a lower perspective view of the bottom of the jumper plateshown in FIG. 7A.

FIGS. 7C, 7D, and 7E show a bottom view of examples of a jumper plate ofFIGS. 4A-4E, 7A, and 7B with a grid illustrating how male couplingelements combine with the jumper plate.

FIG. 7F shows a blow up of the grid element alignment lines and a crosssection of a post.

FIG. 8A is a bottom view of an alternative underside configuration forthe jumper plate of FIGS. 4A-E.

FIG. 8B is a lower perspective view of the bottom of the jumper plateshown in FIG. 8A.

FIGS. 8C, 8D, and 8E show a bottom view of examples of a jumper plate ofFIGS. 4A-4E, 8A, and 8B with a grid illustrating how male couplingelements combine with the jumper plate.

FIG. 9A is a bottom view of an alternative underside configuration forthe jumper plate of FIGS. 4A-E.

FIG. 9B is a lower perspective view of the bottom of the jumper plateshown in FIG. 9A.

FIGS. 9C and 9D show a bottom view of examples of a jumper plate ofFIGS. 4A-4E, 9A, and 9B with a grid illustrating how male couplingelements combine with the jumper plate.

FIG. 10A is a top view of an example of a jumper plate combined withanother building element.

FIG. 10B is a side view of an example of a jumper plate combined withanother building element.

FIG. 10C is a bottom view of an example of a jumper plate combined withanother building element illustrating an offset alignment.

FIG. 10D is a top view of an example of a jumper plate combined withanother building element illustrating a standard alignment.

FIG. 10E is a top view of an example of a jumper plate combined with twoother building elements to illustrate a standard and offset alignment.

FIG. 11A is a top view of an example of a jumper plate combined withanother building element in a standard alignment.

FIG. 11B is a top view of an example of a jumper plate combined withanother building element in an offset alignment.

FIG. 11C is a top perspective view of the example shown in FIG. 11A.

FIG. 11D is a top perspective view of the example shown in FIG. 11B.

FIG. 11E is a bottom view of the example shown in FIGS. 11A and 11C.

FIG. 11F is a bottom view of the example shown in FIGS. 11B and 11D.

FIG. 11G is a top view of an example of a jumper plate combined withanother building element in an offset alignment.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show examples of a bottom view a jumper plate combinedwith another building element contrasting standard and non-standardoffset alignments.

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of an example of a jumper platecombined with another building element illustrating an standardalignment.

FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of an example of a jumper platecombined with another building element illustrating a offset alignment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Toy construction sets include a number of building elements (forexample, parts, pieces, and/or accessories), that may be assembled,disassembled, reassembled, and reconfigured countless times and indifferent configurations to provide hours of enjoyment, entertainment,and creative stimulation. Special multidimensional alignment forbuilding elements of a toy construction system is described herein.Various coupling elements and configurations are described providingcombinations of building elements in standard and offset alignments. Inaddition, special building elements provide various multidimensionalalignments between standard building elements.

In general, toy construction sets, and their elements, are designed andmanufactured to have dimensions that correspond to certain dimensions ofone or more standard building elements, studs, coupling sizes, and/oraccessories included in the toy construction kits or sets, (such asbricks, plates, and specialized build elements and accessories). Forinstance, a standard building element such as a 1×1 plate may have alength of 7.80 mm, a width of 7.80 mm, and a height of 3.20 mm (notincluding the stud), and a standard building element such as a 1×1 brickmay have a length of 7.80 mm, a width of 7.80 mm, and a height of 9.60mm (not including the stud). In this example, three 1×1 plates can becoupled together to have substantially the same dimensions as a 1×1brick.

Building elements may include one or more coupling elements. Couplingelements of standard building elements include male coupling elements,for example, in the form of a coupling stud, and female couplingelements, for example, in the form of a coupling recess that is sized toreceive the coupling stud. The male and female coupling elements canhave a first coupling size. For example, the first coupling size of astandard coupling stud (that is on a surface of a building element, suchas a plate or brick) is defined by an outside diameter of 4.88 mm and aheight of 1.80 mm, and the coupling recesses are sized to have aninterference fit with the coupling studs of the same size. There can bedifferent types and configurations of female recesses that mate with thefirst coupling size. For example, in some configurations, the recessesmay be circular, partially circular with flats on multiple sides,square, or pronged to name a few. The recesses may have varying depths;however, a minimum depth may be provided to ensure proper coupling withthe male stud via an interference fit. Additional configurations forrecesses that provide different alignment possibilities between buildingelements are described below in greater detail.

Coupling elements, for example, a male stud of a standard buildingelement of the toy construction system, can be arranged in a uniformtwo-dimensional array structure, grid, or pattern (that is an x-z planewhere x and z are perpendicular axes of a Cartesian coordinate systemdefining the plane, and x and z are the dimensions of the plane) on thesurface of a building element which allow for easy coupling (andde-coupling) with the similarly arranged female recesses of anotherbuilding element. Typically, the building elements are referred to bythe array formed on the surface of the building element. Thus, a 3×4building element has 12 male coupling elements, for example, studs,arranged in four columns by three rows. When male coupling elements arearranged in a two dimensional plane in a regular pattern (for example,rows and columns), the minimum base distance between the centers (forexample, the point at which the center axis in the y-dimension of thecylindrical stud male coupling element intersects the x-z plane) of anytwo adjacent studs in any one column or row of the plane (for example,where the columns and rows are parallel to the x dimension or the zdimension of the x-z plane respectively) is one building unit or 1 BU.The distances between centers of the male coupling elements taken alonga direction that is parallel with either the x or the z dimension in thex-z plane are a standard unit, which is an integer multiple of the baseunit or BU. For example, a 1×3 standard building element (brick orplate) has three studs A, B, and C whose centers are arranged parallelto one dimension of the element (e.g., the z dimension) where the centerof stud A is 1 BU from the center of stud B and 2 BUs from the center ofstud C. In the implementations described, the building unit or BU ofsuch a toy construction system is 8 mm.

Building elements can be combined using the coupling elements. Oncecombined the building elements can be held together with an interferencefit. An interference fit is a friction fit in which the mechanicalcoupling or fastening between the coupling elements is achieved byfriction after the coupling elements are pushed together, mated, seated,or otherwise mutually engaged. The interference fit also may involve apurposeful interference or deformation of one or more of the couplingelements when they are coupled, fastened, pushed together, or otherwisemutually engaged. Thus, the interference fit can be achieved by shapingthe two coupling elements so that one or the other, or both, slightlydeviate in size or form from their nominal dimension and one or more ofthe coupling elements slightly interferes with the space that the otheris taking up.

In one example, the degree of an interference fit is sometimes referredto as “clutch.” The amount of clutch provides an indication of theforces needed to combine and/or separate the coupling elements to orfrom each other. The degree or amount of contact between the couplingelements when coupled directly correlates to the amount of clutchprovided. In addition, the number of points of contact between thecoupling elements can determine the amount of clutch. For example, theremay be three, four, five or more points of contact between a male studand female recess, wherein more points of contact provide more clutch.With regard to female coupling elements, the point of contact isreferred to herein as a “point of clutch.” It is understood, that at“point of clutch” as used herein may refer to a point of contact, a lineof contact, or an area of contact between two building elements.

A particular type of interference fit includes a snap-fit where theelement-to-element attachment is accomplished with a locator componentand a locking component that are homogenous with one or the other of theelements being joined. Joining requires the flexible locking componentof one element to move or deform for complete engagement with a matingelement, followed by return of the locking component toward its originalposition or form to accomplish the interference required to couple,lock, and join the components together. The locator component of themating element typically is inflexible, minimally or non-deforming so toprovide strength and stability to the attachment. In one example, twocoupling elements are engaged in a snap fit to form a mechanical jointsystem wherein the build elements are able to be moved relative to eachother or configured in different positions while the pieces remainmechanically joined or locked together.

A toy construction kit also can include other building elements thatinclude one or more accessory coupling elements that have a secondcoupling size that is distinct from (for example, smaller than) thefirst coupling size so that the accessory coupling elements are not ableto frictionally engage with the coupling elements of the standardbuilding elements of the first size. For example, the second couplingsize of standard accessories, such as rods, handles, and guns that areheld by toy figures or placed within hollow cutout portions of standardsized studs are defined by an outside diameter of 3.18 mm.

The parts and pieces that form the toy construction kits, buildingelements, and any other accessories can be formed from plastic, such as,for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or any other suitablematerial. While not shown, the pieces that form the toy constructionkits, building elements, and any other accessories may be an assortmentof different colors and may be decorated in various ways, for example,with paint, decals, stickers, etchings, imprints, to represent acharacter or build associated with a particular theme, real orimaginary, for example, according to a particular product line.

The following description makes reference to special relations inaddition to directional orientations, such as views with regard to thedrawings. However, any terms such as up, down, left, right, top, bottom,front, back, above, below, underneath, upper, lower, and the like areused primarily to differentiate between the views and orientationsrelative to other building elements or pieces within any particularconfiguration, or series of views or illustrations, and to help describethe relationship between pieces to the reader. These terms are notintended to describe necessary real world orientations, unless otherwisenoted or specified herein.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate examples 100, 101 of spatial relationshipsfor a building unit (BU) of a toy building element. FIGS. 1A and 1Billustrate a two dimensional grid in the x-z plane. The grid of solidlines illustrates rows 102 (in the z dimension) and columns 103 (in thex dimension) in units of 1 BU (i.e., each solid line in the samedimension is 1 BU apart from any adjacent line). The grid is imposed ona top view of an example of a toy building element 110 (for example,either a brick or plate) having a 2×2 grid of male and female couplingelements. The outer side of the building element 110 includes aperimeter wall 112 and four male cylindrical studs 114, 116, 118, and120. The building element 110 also includes a hollow cavity created bythe interior side 124 (indicated by a dashed line) of the perimeter wall112. Centered inside the cavity is an inner cylindrical wall 126(indicated by a dashed line). Four female recesses (not shown) withthree points of clutch are located between two points 128 of the innerwall 124 and one point 129 on the inner cylindrical wall 126. The femalerecesses are located directly below a corresponding male stud 114, 116,118, and 120.

As shown in the FIGS. 1A and 1B, each male stud (for example, 114) iscentered at the intersection 130 of a row (in the z dimension) and acolumn (in the x dimension) and is 1 BU from any adjacent male stud (forexample, 116 and 118) in the same dimension (z or x). In addition, thecenter point of each male stud (for example, the intersection 130)aligns with a corresponding center of a female recess. The standard gridsizing of 1 BU (or an integer number of BU's) allows building elementsto be coupled according to the grid and intersections 130 by aligningone or more male studs with any corresponding female recesses such thatcenters of the studs and the centers of the recesses align according tothe intersections 130 of the standard grid. In addition, according tothis configuration of a standard 1 BU grid, when two or more buildingelements are coupled, the centers of the male studs of one buildingelement also align with the male studs of the corresponding buildingelement to which it is coupled.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the standard grid sizing of the buildingelement 110 does not allow coupling in other non-standard gridalignments. For example, the standard 1 BU grid configuration ofcoupling elements does not allow multiple male studs from anotherbuilding element to couple with the building element 110 when notaligned in the with the intersection 130 of the rows and columns of thestandard 1 BU grid. As such, builders are restricted in how they cancombine building elements.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, a 2×1 building element or a 4×4building element with male studs (depicted by dashed circles) cannotcombine with the building element 110 when the males studs of the otherbuilding element are centered ½ BU (or a fractional number of BUs) offin the x dimension since portions 150 of the walls 112, 126 interferewith coupling of the studs. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 1B, a 1×2building element or a 4×4 building element with male studs (depicted bydashed circles) cannot combine with building element 110 when the malesstuds of the other building element are centered ½ BU off in the zdimension since portions 158 of the walls 112, 126 interfere withcoupling of the studs.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show an example of a building element 200 that includescoupling recesses of the first coupling size configured to couple withmale coupling elements of the first coupling size of another buildingelement in both a standard coupling grid and a non-standard offsetcoupling grid. FIG. 2A is a top perspective view of the building element200, and FIG. 2B is a bottom view of the building element 200.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the building element 200 is a partiallysymmetrical, three dimensional building element that is constructed asunitary piece. In this example, the building element 200 is a 3×3 plate.The 3×3 plate measures 23.4 mm long×23.4 mm wide, by 3.2 mm high. Theplate includes a top having an exterior surface 205 (shown in FIG. 2A)and interior surface 207 (shown in FIG. 2B) formed on a perimeter wall210 that together bound a general cavity 214. The perimeter wall 210 hasfour equidistant exterior sides formed at right angles to each other todefine a square.

Nine cylindrical, male studs, 220 of the first coupling size (forexample, having an external diameter of 4.88 mm and height of 1.8 mm)extend orthogonally away from the exterior surface 205 of the top of theplate. As shown in FIG. 2A, the nine cylindrical, male studs 220 arearranged in a two dimensional configuration of three rows by threecolumns on the exterior surface 205. As FIG. 2A illustrates, the twodimensional configuration is standard 1 BU coupling grid in the x-zplane. As shown in the FIG. 2A, each cylindrical, male stud 220 iscentered at the intersection 230 of a row 231 in the z dimension and acolumn 232 in the x dimension where each row or column is separated bythe distance 1 BU (for example, 8 mm). As a result, the center axis ofeach cylindrical, male stud 220 is 1 BU away from any adjacentcylindrical, male stud 220 in the same dimension (z or x).

FIG. 2B shows a bottom view of the general cavity 214 of the buildingelement 200. As shown in FIG. 2B, the cavity 214 is bounded by theperimeter wall 210 and the bottom surface 207 of the top of the buildingelement 200. While not required to manufacture the building element, andshown here to facilitate understanding of the concepts, nineindentations 240 in the bottom surface 207 are shown. Each indentation240 corresponds to the inside of one of the cylindrical, male studs 220arranged on the top surface 205 of the building element 200. As can beseen from FIG. 2B, the centers of the indentions 240 correspond to thecenters of the cylindrical, male studs and are also 1 BU from anyadjacent indentation 240 in the x or z dimensions.

A number of female recess grid elements are arranged in the cavity 214to form a non-standard ½ BU offset coupling grid. The grid elements canbe configured to form female recesses of the first coupling size. Thegrid elements can include rib elements, posts, and/or walls.

In one example, a rib element is a protrusion or ridge formed along awall that provides a point of clutch of a female coupling element. Therib element has a base that generally runs along the wall the ribelement is formed on. For example, the rib element can run the height ofthe wall. However, the rib element should be positioned on a portion ofthe wall that allows contact with a male coupling element and longenough to provide enough friction to act as a point of clutch for thefemale coupling element or recesses accepting the male coupling element.The rib element protrudes away from the wall at a right angle and tapersto a point. In one example, the height of the rib element (i.e., thepoint of greatest distance from the wall) is slightly greater than thewidth of its base.

A post is an element that extends orthogonally from the interior surfaceof a building element into the cavity of the building element. The postextends to a height or distance from the interior surface of thebuilding element into the cavity that allows contact with a malecoupling element inserted into the cavity and has sufficient surfacearea to provide enough friction to act as a point of clutch for thefemale coupling element or recesses accepting the male coupling element.A cross section of the post can be a symmetrical geometrical shape, suchas a circle or square that provides points of clutch for up to fourdifferent female coupling elements.

As shown in FIG. 2B, four rib elements 250 are formed at regularintervals along each interior side of the perimeter wall 210. In oneexample, the rib element 250 includes two parallel sides that extendfrom the wall at 90° angles for 0.50 mm before tapering to the point254. The angle formed at the point 254 and distance of the point 254from the perimeter wall 210 is dictated by the size of the male couplingelement of the toy construction system in which the rib element 250 isused, since each rib element 250 provides a point of clutch in thefemale coupling element for the male coupling element of the samecoupling size. For example, the angle formed at the point 254 of the ribelement 250 can be 90°, and the distance from the point 254 from theinside of perimeter wall 210 the rib element 250 is formed on can be 1.0mm (or 2.48 mm from the outside of the perimeter wall 210). In anotherexample (not shown), the rib element can have a cross section shaped asa triangle in which two extend from the wall at an angle less 90° untilthey meet at a point 254. An end portion of the rib element 250 (forexample, the portion closest to the opening of the cavity and the baseof the perimeter wall) may be slightly rounded, tapered, or shaped toaid in alignment and insertion of a cylindrical, male stud into acorresponding female recess formed with the rib element 250.

In addition, a number of posts 256 extend orthogonally from the bottomsurface 207 of the top. The center axis of each post 256 is parallel tothe y axis. The width and length of the post 256 can be substantiallyequal forming a square cross section in the x-z plane having fourcorners (for example, each corner having a 90° angle). For example, thewidth and the length (being equal in a square cross section) of the postmay be 0.82 mm. In another example, the post can have a circular crosssection. The height of the post 256 corresponds to building type ofbuilding element (brick or plate) in which the post is formed. In thisexample, for a plate 200, the height of the post 256 is 1.8 mm. The endportion of the post (i.e., closest to opening of the cavity 214) may beslightly rounded or tapered to aid in alignment an insertion of a malestud into the corresponding female recess formed by the post.

One arrangement of grid elements according to a non-standard ½ BU offsetcoupling grid is shown in FIG. 2B. As shown in FIG. 2B, the ½ BU offsetcoupling grid is shown by dotted lines which form rows 260 in zdimension and columns 261 in the x dimension. The grid is formed asfollows. A row is formed along each line that intersects the centerpoints of indentations and is parallel to the z axis. A column is formedalong each line that intersects the center points of indentations and isparallel to the x axis. These lines form a standard 1 BU coupling grid.Additional rows and columns are formed by adding lines parallel to theserows and columns but located the midpoint between the lines in the samedimension to form a ½ BU offset coupling grid. According to the ½ BUoffset coupling grid, a female recess of the first coupling size iscentered at the intersection 265 of each row 260 and column 261. Asshown in FIG. 2B, the cavity 214 includes 25 female recesses of thefirst coupling size arranged in the nonstandard ½ BU offset couplinggrid.

The rib elements and/or posts are laid out according to the nonstandard½ BU offset coupling grid with the rib elements 250 and posts 256positioned between the rows and columns according to the grid. The gridelements can be positioned along grid element alignment lines 266 (shownwith dashed lines) parallel with and located at the midpoint betweenadjacent rows 260 and adjacent columns 261. A rib element 250 is placedat each point where a grid element alignment line intersects theinterior surface of the perimeter wall 210. Posts 256 can be placed ateach point where the grid element lines intersect 267 (for example, thecenter point of the square formed between a pair of adjacent rows andcolumns of the ½ BU offset coupling grid). In one example, two oppositecorners of the square cross section of the post 256 intersect one of thetwo grid alignment lines forming the intersection 267 where the post 256is located.

The female recesses shown in FIG. 2B each have four or five points ofclutch. The female recesses are formed by different combinations gridelements, for example, combinations of rib elements, posts, and/orperimeter walls. Three different types of grid element configurationsforming female recesses are shown in FIG. 2B, highlighted by dottedcircles 270, 272, and 274 illustrating interaction with a male couplingelement.

A first type of female recess is provided at each corner of the buildingelement 200 and includes two interior sides of the perimeter wall 210,two rib elements 250, and one post 256 providing five points of clutch.One example of the first type of female recess is shown engaging with acylindrical, male stud represented in FIG. 2B by the dotted circle 270.A second type of female recess is provided along each side of theperimeter wall 210 between the corner female recesses and includes tworib elements 250, two posts 250 and the interior side of perimeter wall210 providing five points of clutch. One example of the second type offemale recess is shown engaging with a cylindrical, male studrepresented in FIG. 2B by the dotted circle 272. A third type of femalerecess is provided by a grid in the interior of the cavity 214surrounded by the other types of female recesses and includes four posts250 providing four points of clutch. One example of the third type offemale recess is shown engaging with a cylindrical, male studrepresented in FIG. 2B by the dotted circle 274. As can be seen fromFIG. 2B, each type of female recess is centered at an intersection 265.

Another arrangement of grid elements according to the non-standard ½ BUoffset coupling grid is shown in FIG. 2C. The ½ BU offset coupling gridis formed as described above with regard to FIG. 2B. The position of thegrid elements is the same as shown above for FIG. 2B, except the ribelements 250 are omitted.

In example shown in FIG. 2C, a fourth type of female recess is providedat each corner of the building element 200 and includes two interiorsides of the perimeter wall 210 and one post 256 providing three pointsof clutch. One example of the fourth type of female recess is shownengaging with a cylindrical, male stud represented in FIG. 2C by thedotted circle 280. A fifth type of female recess is provided along eachinterior side of the perimeter wall 210 between the corner femalerecesses and includes two posts 250 and an interior side of theperimeter wall 210 providing three points of clutch. One example of thefifth type of female recess is shown engaging with a cylindrical, malestud represented in FIG. 2C by the dotted circle 282. The remainingfemale recesses are of the third type as described above shown engagingwith a cylindrical, male stud represented in FIG. 2C by the dotted linecircle 284.

Using female recess grid elements arranged according to a non-standard ½BU offset coupling grid provides female recesses of the first couplingsize that provide more coupling options when combining building elementsallowing more flexibility of design choices to a builder. Using anon-standard ½ BU offset coupling grid allows male coupling elements ofone building element to combine with the female recesses of: a standard1 BU coupling grid (where the male coupling elements of one buildingelement align with the male building elements of a coupling buildingelement in both the x and z dimensions); a z offset coupling grid (wherethe male coupling elements of one building element are offset with themale coupling elements of a coupling building element in the z dimensionby ½ a BU); a x offset coupling grid (where the male coupling elementsof one building element are offset with the male coupling elements of acoupling building element in the x dimension by ½ a BU); and a x-zoffset coupling grid (where the male coupling elements of one buildingelement are offset with the male coupling elements of a couplingbuilding element in both the x and z dimensions by ½ a BU).

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D show bottom views of examples illustrating thecoupling alignments between two building elements using female recessgrid elements arranged according to a non-standard ½ BU offset couplinggrid. Two building elements are shown coupled in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and3D. The first building element 200 is the 3×3 building element describedabove with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B. The second building element 300is a 2×2 building element having four cylindrical, male couplingelements of the first coupling size represented by dotted circles 310.

The 3×3 building element 200 shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D has 25female recesses of the first coupling size. Based on the orientationshown in the drawings, the female recesses can be identified by row,column with the point of origin (0,0) starting in the lower left handcorner of the building element 300 as follows: 1,1; 1,2; 1,3; 1,4; 1,5;2,1; 2,2; 2,3; 2,4; 2,5; 3,1; 3,2; 3,3; 3,4; 3,5; 4,1; 4,2; 4,3; 4,4;4,5; 5,1; 5,2; 5,3; 5,4; 5,5.

FIG. 3A shows one example of one configuration of the coupling ofbuilding element 200 and building element 300. As shown in FIG. 3A, thefour cylindrical, male coupling elements 310 of the second buildingelement 300 are inserted into the four female recesses 1,1, 1,3, 3,1,and 3,3 of the building element 200. In this configuration, the centeraxis of the four cylindrical, male coupling elements 310 of buildingelement 300 align with the center axis of the nine cylindrical, malecoupling elements 220 of building element 200 in both the x dimensionand the z dimension according to a standard 1 BU coupling grid. However,the female grid elements of the building element 200 provide additionalnon-standard alignments in which the cylindrical, male coupling elementsof building element 300 are offset from the cylindrical, male couplingelements of building element 200 by ½ BU in the x dimension, the zdimension, or both the x and z dimensions.

FIG. 3B shows coupling of building element 200 and building element 300with a ½ offset alignment in the x dimension. As shown in FIG. 3B, thefour cylindrical, male coupling elements 310 of the second buildingelement 300 are inserted into the four female recesses 2,1; 2,3; 4,1 and4,3 of the building element 200. In this configuration, the center axisof the four cylindrical, male coupling elements 310 of building element300 do not align with the center axis of the nine cylindrical, malecoupling elements 220 of building element 200 in the z dimension.Instead, the cylindrical, male coupling elements 310 of building element300 are offset by ½BU in the z dimension where the center axis ofcylindrical, male coupling elements 310 of building element 300 alignwith the center axis of cylindrical, male coupling elements 220 ofbuilding element 200 along the columns 261 but are offset ½ BU along therows 260.

FIG. 3C shows coupling of building element 200 and building element 300with a ½ offset alignment in the x dimension. As shown in FIG. 3C, thefour cylindrical, male coupling elements 310 of the second buildingelement 300 are inserted into the four female recesses 1,2; 1,4; 3,2 and3,4 of the building element 200. In this configuration, the center axisof the four cylindrical, male coupling elements 310 of building element300 do not align with the center axis of the nine cylindrical, malecoupling elements 220 of building element 200 in the x dimension.Instead, the cylindrical, male coupling elements 310 of building element300 are offset by ½BU in the x dimension where the center axis ofcylindrical, male coupling elements 310 of building element 300 alignwith the center axis of cylindrical, male coupling elements 220 ofbuilding element 200 along the rows 260 but are offset ½ BU along thecolumns 261.

FIG. 3D shows coupling of building element 200 and building element 300with a ½ offset alignment in the x and z dimensions. As shown in FIG.3D, the four cylindrical, male coupling elements 310 of the secondbuilding element 300 are inserted into the four female recesses 2,2;2,4; 4,2 and 4,4 of the building element 200. In this configuration, thecenter axis of the four cylindrical, male coupling elements 310 ofbuilding element 300 do not align with the center axis of the ninecylindrical, male coupling elements 220 of building element 200 ineither the x or z dimensions. Instead, the cylindrical, male couplingelements 310 of building element 300 are offset by ½BU in both the x andz dimensions where the center axis of cylindrical, male couplingelements 310 of building element 300 do not align with the center axisof cylindrical, male coupling elements 220 of building element 200, butare offset ½ BU along the rows 260 and the columns 261.

As a result, using building elements with female recess grid elementsarranged according to a non-standard ½ BU offset coupling grid gives adesigner more flexibility when designing and creating constructions byallowing multiple male coupling elements to couple with a buildingelement to offset the alignment of male coupling elements along one ordimensions in units less than 1 BU.

In another example, a jumper plate is provided that is a specialtybuilding element that allows various configurations, adaptations of, andalignments between standard building elements to allow additionalflexibility and creativity in builder designs. In particular, variousconfigurations of the jumper plate and other aspects of the elementsdescribed below, allow multiple male coupling elements of a buildingelement to couple with a jumper plate in units less than 1 BU of astandard coupling grid. Although the following description focuses onthe jumper plate, certain design attributes and elements of the jumperplate are applicable to other toy construction building elements, asdescribed in further detail below.

FIGS. 4A-4E show an example of a jumper plate 400 that is a specialtybuilding element for use with a toy construction system. The jumperplate 400 is a partially symmetrical, three dimensional build elementthat is constructed as unitary piece. As shown in FIGS. 4A-4E, one halfthe jumper plate 400 mirrors the other half of the jumper plate 400through the x-y plane.

FIG. 4A is a top view of an exemplary jumper plate 400. As shown in FIG.4A, the jumper plate 400 includes a top wall 401. The top wall 401 isformed on and between a front wall 402 and a parallel back wall 404, onand between two parallel side walls 406, 408 arranged orthogonal to theback wall 404, and two non-parallel walls 410, 412 arranged at an obtuseangle θ from the parallel side walls 406, 408 (for example, greater than90°) that taper the top wall 401 to the front wall 402 forming anotherobtuse angle φ with the front wall. In one example, θ is a 150° angleand φ is a 420° angle with the front wall 402. In addition, the sidewalls 404, 406, and 408 have lengths of 15.60 mm. The front side wall402 has a length of 6.6 mm, and the side walls 410, 412 have a length of9.01 mm. The walls 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, and 412 together form aperimeter wall of the jumper plate 400.

Five cylindrical, male studs, 414, 415, 416, 417, 418 of the firstcoupling size (for example, having a diameter of 4.88 mm and height of1.80 mm) extend orthogonally from the exterior surface of the top wall401. As shown in FIG. 4A, four of the studs 414, 415, 416, 417 arearranged in a 2×2 pattern (for example, two rows by two columns) on theexterior surface of the top wall 401. The studs are arranged such thatif the exterior surface of the top wall is separated into a square (forexample, 15.60 mm by 15.60 mm) formed by the back side wall 404 andparallel side walls 106, 108, for example, corresponding to thedimensions of a standard 2×2 building element, and a taper portion (forexample, the remainder of the top surface) and the square is dividedinto four equal quadrants, the central axis of each stud is centered ineach quadrant. In addition, the studs 414, 415, 416, 417 form a standard1 BU coupling grid.

The fifth stud 418 also extends from the exterior of the top surface andis centered in the tapered portion. In addition, the interior of thefifth stud 418 can be hollow creating a hole 419 that passes all the waythrough the jumper plate 400 that allows the stud 418 to receive astandard building element of the second coupling size (for example, arod with diameter 3.18 mm). The interior side walls of the stud 418forming the hole 419 may include a number of longitudinal flats 421formed in the interior surfaces that define the hole 419 therebyoffering at least four points of clutch for any building element of thesecond coupling size inserted therein. Moreover, the longitudinal flats421 can be positioned and dimensioned based on the standard dimensionsof structures to be received in the hole 419. For example, the distancebetween opposing flats may be 3.04 mm.

FIG. 4B is a front view of the jumper plate 400. As shown in FIG. 4B,the front of the jumper plate 400 includes the front wall 402 and thetwo non-parallel side walls 410, 412. The walls 402, 410, and 412 canhave a height of 3.20 mm. Each of the non-parallel side walls 410 and412 can have a cut out portion 424, described in further detail below.In addition, three of the five male studs 416, 417, 418 are shownextending orthogonally from the top surface 401 to a height of 1.80 mm.

FIG. 4C is a side view of the jumper plate 400. As shown in FIG. 4C, oneof the sides of the jumper plate 400 includes side walls 408 and 412(the other side that includes 406 and 410 is not shown but issymmetrical and therefore the description is omitted). The side wall 412includes one of the two cutouts 224. A cutout 224 creates an opening inthe wall 408 (and 406) that extends from the bottom or base of the wall(shown by the dashed line 230) to a height h that is slightly at leastgreater than 1.80 mm. In addition, the sides of the cutout 424 arealigned (for example, as shown with dotted lines) with the outerdiameter of the stud 418 formed on the taper portion of the exteriorsurface of the top wall 401 of the plate 400 when viewed in the x-yplane. The cutout 424 prevents the walls 410, 412 from interfering witha male stud when the plate 400 is placed on another plate or brick asdescribed, in further detail below. In addition, three of the five malestuds 415, 417, and 418 are shown extending orthogonally from the topsurface 401.

FIG. 4D is a back view of the jumper plate 400. FIG. 4D shows the backwall 404 having a height of 3.20 mm. In addition, two and a portion of athird of the five male studs are shown extending orthogonally from thetop surface 401.

FIG. 4E shows an top perspective view of the jumper plate 400. As can beseen from FIG. 4E, the four studs 414, 415, 416, 417 arranged in a 2×2pattern form a uniform grid. The rows of the grid are separated by 1 BU.The columns of the grid are also separated by 1 BU. Together the rowsand columns form a standard 1 BU coupling grid. The fifth 418 stud ispositioned in ½ BU offset with respect to the columns of the grid.

The underside 490 of the jumper plate 400 can have one of severaldifferent configurations. Different configurations of the underside 490are shown in FIGS. 5A-9E and described in detail below.

Typically, standard building elements with multiple studs can only becoupled in a manner such that the studs of one building element directlyalign with the studs of another building element being coupled to itaccording to the standard 1 BU coupling grid. This limits the way inwhich the building elements can be combined. However, the jumper plateprovides the capability to allow building elements to be combined in anumber of non-standard alignments allowing the jumper plate to jump froma standard alignment to an offset alignment. As a result, additionalbuilding elements may be coupled in the standard and offset alignmentsproviding flexibility to designer when combining building elements tocreate a toy construct.

FIGS. 5A-5E, FIGS. 6A-6E, 7A-7E, 8A-8E, and 9A-9E show various examplesof different configurations for the underside 490 of the jumper plate400 that allow the jumper plate to couple with other building elementsin standard and non-standard alignments.

FIG. 5A is a bottom view of a particular configuration 500 of theunderside 490 of jumper plate 400. FIG. 5B is a lower perspective viewof the configuration 500 shown in FIG. 5A. FIG. 5C illustrates wheremale coupling elements of the first coupling size may be received by thejumper plate for the configuration 500. FIG. 5D illustrates alignmentsof male coupling elements of the first coupling size that may bereceived by the jumper plate in the tapered portion for theconfiguration 500. As shown in FIG. 5A the bottom of the jumper platecan be divided (along the dashed line) into a tapered portion 501 and asquare portion 502 corresponding to the tapered and square portionsdescribed above with regard to FIG. 4A-4E.

The tapered portion 501 includes an open area formed between the cutouts424 in the non parallel side walls 406, 408, bounded by the interiorsurface 503 of the top wall, the interior side 504 of the front wall402, and a first side 505 of an inner wall 506. As shown, the hole 419extends through the male stud 418 and the top wall 401 of the plate 500.The height of the interior side 504 of the front wall and the inner wall506 is slightly greater than 1.80 mm.

Arranged along the interior side 504 of the front wall and the firstside 505 of the inner wall 506, at regularly spaced intervals, are anumber of protrusions, teeth, or rib elements 510. Each rib element 510provides a point of clutch in the female coupling element for receivingand holding a male coupling element of the same coupling size as thefemale coupling element. The rib element 510 has a base that runs theentire height of the wall the rib element is formed on (for example, theinner side 504 of wall 402 and the first side 505 of the inner wall506). A rib element protrudes or extends away from the wall at a rightangle and tapers to a point. In one example, the height of the ribelement (i.e., the point the rib element that is the greatest distancefrom the wall) is slightly greater than the width of its base of the ribelement, for example 1.80 mm. As shown in FIG. 5A, the rib element 510includes two parallel sides that extend from the wall at 90° angles for0.50 mm before tapering to the point 514. The angle formed by the wallsat the point 514 and distance of the point 514 from the wall is dictatedby the size of the male coupling element of the toy construction systemin which the rib element used, since each rib element 510 provides apoint of clutch in the female coupling element for the male couplingelement of the same coupling size. For example, the angle formed by thewalls at the point 514 of the rib element 510 can be 90°, and thedistance from the point 514 to the inside surface of the wall on whichthe rib element 510 is formed (for example, the inner side 504 of wall402 and the first side 505 of the inner wall 506) can be 1.0 mm (or 2.48mm from the outside of the perimeter wall 210).

The rib elements 510 are evenly spaced and positioned along a wall suchthat a grouping of three or more rib elements 510 provides a femalecoupling element of the first coupling size. As such, adjacent ribelements 510 formed on the same wall are evenly spaced, and a ribelement 510 can be formed directly across from a rib element 510 on awall opposite the rib element 510. The spacing or relative positioningof the rib elements 510 are described in further detail below withregard to FIGS. 5C and 5D. In the example shown in FIGS. 5A-5D, two ribelements 510 are formed on the interior side 504 of the front wall 502,and four rib elements 510 are formed on the first side 505 of theinterior wall 506. In addition, the center lines each of the two ribelements on the interior side 504 of the front wall 402 are positioneddirectly across and opposite from the center lines of the twocorresponding rib elements 510 on the first side 505 of the interiorwall 506. In this example, three or four rib elements 510 can form afemale coupling element of the first coupling size providing 5 or 6points of clutch, respectively.

The square portion 502 of the bottom of the configuration 500 is agenerally open area formed between the interior sides 520, 522 of theparallel side walls 406, 408 and the interior side 524 the back wall404.

A circular wall 530 extends orthogonally from the bottom surface 503 ofthe top wall 402. The base of the circular wall 530 is centered around acenter point of the square portion 502, for example, a point on thesurface 503 that is 6.42 mm from the interior sides of the walls 406,408, and back wall 404 (or 7.9 mm from the outside of the of the walls406, 408, and back wall 404). The height of the circular wall 530 can be1.80 mm. The inner diameter of the circle created by the wall 530 is ofthe first coupling size providing a female recess for a cylindrical malestud of the first coupling size. In addition, the interior walls of thecircular wall 530 may include a number of longitudinal flats formed inthe interior surfaces of the wall 530. Moreover, the longitudinal flats531 can be positioned and dimensioned based on the standard dimensionsof male studs of the first coupling size to be received in the recessformed by the circular wall. For example, the distance between opposingflats may be 4.84 mm. The outer diameter of the circular wall 530 is6.50 mm.

Four indentations 540 into the bottom surface 503 of the top wall 401are shown. Each indentation 540 corresponds to the inside of one of thecylindrical, male studs 414, 415, 416, and 417 arranged on the outersurface of the top wall 401 of the configuration 500. As can be seenfrom FIGS. 5A, 5C, and 5D, the center axis of the of the indentions 540correspond to the center axis of the cylindrical, male studs andtherefore are also 1 BU from any adjacent indentation 540 in the x or zdimensions.

Two walls 535, 537 extend at right angles from the second side 507 ofthe inner wall 506 from the tapered portion into the square portion. Theextension walls 535, 537 are the same height as the inner wall 506, andcan have a thickness of 1.25 mm. The end portion 539 of the extensionwalls 535, 537 are parallel to the inner wall 506 and are positioned toform an area of clutch for a female coupling recess of the firstcoupling size formed by the interior side of a wall (406 or 408), andthe outer side of the circular wall 530, and the end portion 539 of anextension wall 535 or 537. This female coupling recess has three pointsof clutch. Two additional female coupling recesses of the first couplingsize are formed between the interior sides 520 or 522 of the side walls406 or 408, the outer side of the circular wall 530, and the interiorside 524 the back wall 404.

The configuration 500 provides eight female coupling elements of thefirst coupling size. These coupling elements are highlighted in FIG. 5Cby circular dashed lines representing their interaction withcylindrical, male coupling elements that can be received by acorresponding recess. Three female coupling elements for stud positions547, 548, 549 are provided in the tapered portion 501, and five couplingelements for stud positions 550, 552, 554, 556, 558 are provided in thesquare portion 502.

A female coupling element for stud position 550 is provided by therecess formed by the circular wall 530. Two female coupling elements forstud positions 552, 554, are formed between the interior sides 520, 522of the side walls 406, 408, the circular wall 530, and the end portion539 of the extension walls 535, 537; two additional female couplingelements for stud positions 556, 558 are formed between the interiorsides 520, 522 of the side walls 406, 408, the circular wall 530, andthe interior side 524 of the back wall 404.

In addition, three female coupling elements for stud positions 547, 548,and 549 located in the tapered portion 501 are formed by three or moreribbed elements 510. The female coupling elements for stud positions 547and 549 are formed by three rib elements 510, one rib element positionedon the interior side 504 of front wall 402 and two on the first side 505of inner wall 506. The female coupling element for stud position 548 isformed by four rib elements 510, two rib elements 510 positioned on theinterior side 504 of front wall 402 and two rib elements 510 positionedon the first side 505 of inner wall 506. The female coupling elementsfor stud positions 547 and 549 have five points of clutch and the femalecoupling element for stud position 548 has six points of clutch.

The rib elements 510 can be positioned according to a non-standard ½ BUoffset coupling grid as shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D. The ½ BU offsetcoupling grid is shown by dotted lines, which form rows 560 in the zdimension and columns 561 in the x dimension. The grid is formed asfollows. A row is formed along each line that intersects the centerpoints of indentations 540 and is parallel to the z axis. A column isformed along each line that intersects the center points of indentations540 and is parallel to the x axis. These lines form a standard 1 BUcoupling grid. Additional rows and columns are formed by adding linesparallel to these rows and columns but located at the midpoint betweenthe lines in the same dimension (x or z) to form a ½ BU offset couplinggrid.

According to the ½ BU offset coupling grid, a female recess of the firstcoupling size is centered at the intersection 565 of the first row andeach column 561. The rib elements 510 are laid out according to thenonstandard ½ BU offset coupling grid with the rib elements 510positioned in the first row and each column according to the grid. Therib elements 510 can be positioned using grid element alignment linesthat are parallel with and located at the midpoint between adjacentcolumns 261. A rib element 510 is placed at each point where an elementalignment line intersects the interior side 504 of the front wall 402and the first side 505 of the inner wall 506.

FIG. 5D shows an example illustrating the multiple positioningalignments of cylindrical, male coupling elements according to anonstandard ½ BU offset coupling grid in the first portion 501. In thisexample, male coupling elements of a 1×3 building element are used toillustrate the positioning alignments. A first position of the malecoupling elements (corresponding to a standard 1 BU coupling gridalignment) for coupling of the 1×3 building element with the jumperplate 400 having the underside configuration 500 is shown by the solidline circles 570, 572, and 574. A second position of the male couplingelements of the 1×3 building element (corresponding to a non-standard ½BU coupling grid) for coupling with the jumper plate 400 having theunderside configuration 500 is shown by the dashed line circles 575,577, and 579. According to the second position, the alignment of themale coupling elements of the 1×3 building element are shifted ½ BU inthe z dimension.

FIG. 6A is a bottom view of an alternative configuration 600 of theunderside 490 of jumper plate 400. FIG. 6B is a lower perspective viewof the configuration 600 of the underside 490 of the jumper plate 400.FIG. 6C illustrates where male coupling elements of the first dimensionmay be received by the jumper plate 400. FIGS. 6D and 6E illustratemultiple positioning alignments of cylindrical, male coupling elementsaccording to a nonstandard ½ BU offset coupling grid.

As shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E, the configuration 600 includesa tapered portion 601 and a square portion 602. The tapered portion 601has the same configuration of elements as the tapered portion 501 ofconfiguration 500 described above with regard to FIGS. 5A-5C; therefore,the description is not repeated here for brevity. The generalconfiguration of the square portion 602 of the bottom of theconfiguration 600 is similar to the square portion 502 described abovefor configuration 500. As described above, a generally open area orcavity is formed between the interior sides 520, 522 of the parallelside walls 406, 408 and the interior side 524 the back wall 404. Inaddition, four indentations 540 in the bottom surface 503 of the topwall 401 are shown and positioned as described above. Similarly, twowalls 535, 537 extend at right angles from the second side 507 of theinner wall 506 from the tapered portion 601 into the square portion 602.

However, instead of circular wall 530, four walls 630, 631, 632, and 634forming a cross or x-shape extend orthogonally from the bottom surface503 of the top wall 402. One end of each of the four walls 630, 631,632, and 634 is connected at a common point 635 to form the cross, whereeach wall is formed at a 90° angle (in the x-z plane) to the twoadjacent walls. The intersection of the walls or common point 635 iscentered within the square portion 602, for example, at a position thatis 6.42 mm from the interior sides of the walls 406, 408, and back wall404 (or 7.9 from the outside of the of the walls 406, 408, and back wall404). The height of the walls 630, 631, 632, and 634 is 1.80 mm. Thecross section of each wall 630, 631, 632, and 634 in the x-z plane isgenerally rectangular. Each a wall is 0.82 mm wide and 2.83 mm long. Theother ends of each of the four walls 630, 631, 632, and 634 opposite theintersection at the common point 635 are positioned to form an area ofclutch for female coupling recesses of the first coupling size. Theother ends 630, 631, 632, and 634 of each wall have a rectangularcross-section in the x-z plane with three sides of the rectangular crosssection arranged at right angles to each other (thereby forming one endof the rectangular cross section).

In addition, two walls 641 and 642 extend orthogonally from the bottomsurface 503 of the top wall 402. One end of wall 641 is connected towall 535 forming 45° and 135° angles with the wall 535, and one end ofwall 642 is connected to wall 537 forming 45° and 135° angles with thewall 537. The other ends opposite the connected ends of the walls 641and 642 are generally oriented towards the center of the square portion602 and each other. The cross section of each wall 641 and 642 in thex-z plane is generally rectangular, where the other ends of each wall641 and 642 within the rectangular cross-section have three sidesarranged at right angles to each other to form two adjacent corners ofone end of the rectangular cross section and are positioned to form anarea of clutch for female coupling recesses of the first coupling size.

Two rib elements 510 also are formed on the interior side of the backwall 404 in the same fashion as described above for the first portion501 in FIGS. 5A-5C.

The configuration 600 includes eleven female coupling elements of thefirst coupling size. The female coupling elements can be formed using anumber of grid elements including one or more of rib elements, walls,and end portions of walls to provide points of clutch for the femalerecess elements. The female coupling elements are highlighted in FIG. 6Cby circular dashed lines representing their interaction withcylindrical, male coupling elements that can be received by thecorresponding recesses. Three female coupling elements for studpositions 647, 648, 649 are provided in the tapered portion 601, andeight coupling elements for stud positions 650, 651, 652, 653, 654, 655,656, 657 are provided in the square portion 602.

Two female coupling recesses for stud positions 650, 651 are formedbetween the interior sides 520, 522 of the side walls 406, 408, the endportions of walls 630, 631, the end portions of walls 641, 642, and theend portions 539 of the extension walls 535, 537. Two female couplingrecesses for stud positions 652, 653 are formed between the interiorsides 520, 522 of the side walls 406, 408, and the end portions of walls630 and 632. Two female coupling recesses for stud positions 654, 654are formed between the interior sides 520, 522 of the side walls 406,408, and the end portions of walls 632 and 633, the interior side 524 ofthe back wall 404, and the rib elements 510. A female coupling recessfor stud position 656 is formed between the end portions of walls 632and 633, rib elements 510, and the interior side 524 of the back wall404. A female coupling recess for stud position 657 is formed betweenthe end portions of walls 630 and 631, rib elements 510, the endportions of walls 641, 642 and the end portion 539 of the extensionwalls 535, 537.

The arrangement of the grid elements (for example, end portions of walls630, 631, 632, 633, 641, 642, and rib elements 510) can be positionedaccording to a non-standard ½ BU offset coupling grid as shown in FIG.6C. The ½ BU offset coupling grid is shown by dotted lines which formrows 660 in z dimension and columns 661 in the x dimension. The grid isformed as described above with regard to FIG. 5C. According to the ½ BUoffset coupling grid, a female recess of the first coupling size iscentered at the intersections 665 of each row 660 and each column 661within the tapered portion 601 and the square portion 602. Grid elementsare laid out according to the nonstandard ½ BU offset coupling gridwhere the grid elements are positioned along grid element alignmentlines (shown by dashed lines) that are parallel with and located at themidpoint between adjacent rows 660 and adjacent columns 661.

A rib element 510 is formed at each point in the tapered portion 601where an element alignment line intersects the interior side 504 of thefront wall 402 and the first side 505 of the inner wall 506. Inaddition, a rib element 510 is formed in the square portion at eachpoint where an element alignment line intersects the interior side 524of the back wall 404 within the cavity. The end portions of walls 630,631, 632, 633, 641, and 642 are positioned at the intersections of thegrid element alignment lines within the square portion 602 where one ofthe two grid element alignment lines forming the intersection crossesthrough one of the two corners of the rectangular cross section and theother of the two grid element alignment lines forming the intersectioncrosses through the other corner of the rectangular cross section. Ablow up view of an example illustrating the intersection of twogridlines and the orientation of an end portion of one of the walls 630,631, 632, 633, 641, and 642 is shown in FIG. 6F.

FIG. 6D shows an example illustrating multiple positioning possibilitiesof cylindrical, male coupling elements of another building elementaccording to a nonstandard ½ BU offset coupling grid for theconfiguration 600. The male coupling elements of a 1×5 building elementin a first position (corresponding to a standard 1 BU coupling gridalignment) for coupling with the jumper plate 400 is shown by the solidline circles 670, 671, 672, 673, and 674. A second position of the malecoupling elements of the 1×5 building element (corresponding to anon-standard ½ BU coupling grid alignment) for coupling with the jumperplate 400 is shown by the dashed line circles 675, 676, 677, 678, and679. According to the second position, the location and alignment of themale coupling elements has shifted ½ BU in the x dimension.

FIG. 6E shows another example illustrating multiple positioningpossibilities of cylindrical, male coupling elements according to anonstandard ½ BU offset coupling grid for the configuration 600. Themale coupling elements of a 1×5 building element in a first position(corresponding to a standard 1 BU coupling grid alignment) for couplingwith the jumper plate 400 is shown by the solid line circles 680, 681,682, and 683. A second position of the male coupling elements of the 1×5building element (corresponding to a non-standard ½ BU coupling gridalignment) for coupling with the jumper plate 400 is shown by the dashedline circles 685, 686, 687, and 688. According to the second position,the location and alignment of the male coupling elements has shifted ½BU in the z dimension.

FIG. 7A is a bottom view of an alternative configuration 700 of theunderside 490 of jumper plate 400. FIG. 7B is a lower perspective viewof the configuration 700 of the underside 490 of the jumper plate 400.FIG. 7C illustrates where male coupling elements of the first dimensionmay be received by configuration 700 of the jumper plate 400. FIGS. 7Dand 7E illustrate multiple positioning alignments of cylindrical, malecoupling elements according to a nonstandard ½ BU offset coupling grid.

As shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, and 7E, the configuration 700 includesa tapered portion 701 and a square portion 702. The tapered portion 701has the same configuration of elements as the tapered portion 501 of theconfiguration 500 described above with regard to FIGS. 5A-5C; therefore,the description is not repeated here for brevity.

The general configuration of the square portion 702 of the bottom of theconfiguration 700 is similar to the square portion 602 described abovefor configuration 600. As described above, a generally open area orcavity is formed between the interior sides 520, 522 of the parallelside walls 406, 408 and the interior side 524 the back wall 404. Inaddition, four indentations 540 in the bottom surface 503 of the topwall 401 are shown and positioned as described above. Similarly, twowalls 535, 537 extend 2.16 mm at right angles from the second side 507of the inner wall 506 from the tapered portion 701 into the squareportion 702.

However, instead of a cross or x-shape, in this example four posts 730,731, 732, and 734 extend orthogonally from the bottom surface 503 of thetop wall 402. The center axis corresponding to the height of the postsare the parallel to the y axis. The width and length of the post can besubstantially equal forming a square cross section in the x-z plane. Forexample, the width and the length (being equal in a square crosssection) of the posts may be 0.82 mm. The height of the posts can be 1.8mm. The end portion of the post (i.e., closest to opening of the cavity)may be slightly rounded or tapered to aid in alignment an insertion of amale stud into the corresponding female recess formed by the post. Theposts 730, 731, 732, and 734 are positioned to form points of clutch forfemale coupling recesses of the first coupling size.

In addition, two walls 641 and 642 extend orthogonally from the bottomsurface 503 of the top wall 402 and two rib elements 510 on the interiorside of the back wall 404 are formed as described above with regard toFIGS. 6A-6C.

The configuration 700 includes twelve female coupling elements of thefirst coupling size. The female coupling elements can be formed using anumber of grid elements including one or more of rib elements, posts,and walls to provide points of clutch for the female recess elements.The female coupling elements are highlighted in FIG. 7C by circulardashed lines representing their interaction with cylindrical, malecoupling elements that can be received by the corresponding recesses.Three female coupling elements for stud positions 747, 748, 749 areprovided in the tapered portion 701, and nine coupling elements for studpositions 750, 751, 752, 753, 754, 755, 756, 757, and 758 are providedin the square portion 702.

Two female coupling recesses for stud positions 750, 751 are formedbetween the interior sides 520, 522 of the side walls 406, 408, theposts 730, 731, the end portions of walls 641, 642, and the end portions539 of the extension walls 535, 537. Two female coupling recesses forstud positions 752, 753 are formed between the interior sides 520, 522of the side walls 406, 408, and the posts 730 and 732. Two femalecoupling recesses for stud positions 754, 754 are formed between theinterior sides 520, 522 of the side walls 406, 408, and the posts 732and 733, the interior side 524 of the back wall 404, and the ribelements 510. A female coupling recess for stud position 756 is formedbetween the posts 732 and 733, rib elements 510, and the interior side524 of the back wall 404. A female coupling recess for stud position 757is formed between the posts 730 and 731, the end portions of walls 641,642 and the end portion 539 of the extension walls 535, 537. A femalecoupling recess for stud position 758 is formed between the posts 730,731, 732, and 734.

The arrangement of the grid elements (for example, posts 730, 731, 732,and 734, the end portions of walls 641, 642, and rib elements 510) canbe positioned according to a non-standard ½ BU offset coupling grid asshown in FIG. 7C. The ½ BU offset coupling grid is shown by dotted lineswhich form rows 760 in z dimension and columns 761 in the x dimension.The grid is formed as described above with regard to FIG. 5C. Accordingto the ½ BU offset coupling grid, a female recess of the first couplingsize is centered at the intersections 765 of each row 760 and eachcolumn 761 within the tapered portion 701 and the square portion 702.Grid elements are laid out according to the nonstandard ½ BU offsetcoupling grid where the grid elements are positioned along grid elementalignment lines (shown by dashed lines) that are parallel with andlocated at the midpoint between adjacent rows 760 and adjacent columns761.

A rib element 510 is formed at each point in the tapered portion 701where an element alignment line intersects the interior side 504 of thefront wall 402 and the first side 505 of the inner wall 506. Inaddition, a rib element 510 is formed in the square portion at eachpoint where an element alignment line intersects the interior side 524of the back wall 404 within the cavity. The posts 730, 731, 732, and 734are positioned at the intersections of the grid element alignment lineswithin the square portion 702 where (for example, the center point ofthe square formed between a pair of adjacent rows and columns of the ½BU offset coupling grid). In one example, two opposite corners of thesquare cross section of the posts 730, 731, 732, and 734 intersect oneof the two grid alignment lines forming the intersection where the postis located. A blow up view of an example illustrating the intersectionof two gridlines and the orientation of posts 731, 732, 733, 734 isshown in FIG. 7F. The end portions of walls 641, 642 are also positionedat two of the intersections of the grid element lines nearest the innerwall 506 where one of the two grid element alignment lines forming theintersection crosses through one of the two corners of the rectangularcross section and the other of the two grid element alignment linesforming the intersection crosses through the other of the two corners ofthe rectangular cross section.

FIG. 7D shows an example illustrating multiple positioning possibilitiesof cylindrical, male coupling elements of another building elementaccording to a nonstandard ½ BU offset coupling grid for theconfiguration 700. The male coupling elements of a 1×5 building elementin a first position (corresponding to a standard 1 BU coupling gridalignment) for coupling with the jumper plate 400 is shown by the solidline circles 770, 771, 772, 773, and 774. A second position of the malecoupling elements of the 1×5 building element (corresponding to anon-standard ½ BU coupling grid alignment) for coupling with the jumperplate 400 is shown by the dashed line circles 775, 776, 777, 778, and779. According to the second position, the location and alignment of themale coupling elements has shifted ½ BU in the z dimension.

FIG. 7E shows another example illustrating multiple positioningpossibilities of cylindrical, male coupling elements according to anonstandard ½ BU offset coupling grid for the configuration 700. Themale coupling elements of a 1×4 building element in a first position(corresponding to a standard 1 BU coupling grid alignment) for couplingwith the jumper plate 400 is shown by the solid line circles 780, 781,782, and 783. A second position of the male coupling elements of the 1×4building element (corresponding to a non-standard ½ BU coupling gridalignment) for coupling with the jumper plate 400 is shown by the dashedline circles 785, 786, 787, and 788. According to the second position,the location and alignment of the male coupling elements has shifted ½BU in the x dimension.

FIG. 8A is a bottom view of an alternative configuration 800 of theunderside 490 of jumper plate 400. FIG. 8B is a lower perspective viewof the configuration 800 of the underside 490 of the jumper plate 400.FIG. 8C illustrates where male coupling elements of the first dimensionmay be received by the jumper plate 400 with configuration 800. FIGS. 8Dand 8E illustrate multiple positioning alignments of cylindrical, malecoupling elements according to a nonstandard ½ BU offset coupling grid.

As shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, and 8E, the configuration 800 includesa tapered portion 801 and a square portion 802. The tapered portion 801has the same configuration of elements as the tapered portion 501 of theconfiguration 500 described above with regard to FIGS. 5A-5C; therefore,the description is not repeated here for brevity.

The general configuration of the square portion 802 of the underside 490of the jumper plate 400 in the configuration 800 is similar to thesquare portion 702 described above for configuration 700. Theconfiguration 800 provides all the grid elements in square portion 802described above for the square portion 702 of configuration 700;therefore, their description is not repeated here for brevity. Inaddition, two additional rib elements 510 are formed on the interiorsides 520, 522 of the parallel side walls 406, 408.

The configuration 800 includes twelve female coupling elements of thefirst coupling size. The female coupling elements can be formed using anumber of grid elements including one or more of rib elements, posts,and walls to provide points of clutch for the female recess elements.The female coupling elements are highlighted in FIG. 8C by circulardashed lines representing their interaction with cylindrical, malecoupling elements that can be received by the corresponding recesses.Three female coupling elements for stud positions 847, 848, 849 areprovided in the tapered portion 701, and nine coupling elements for studpositions 850, 851, 852, 853, 854, 855, 856, 857, and 858 are providedin the square portion 802.

Two female coupling recesses for stud positions 850, 851 are formedbetween the interior sides 520, 522 of the side walls 406, 408, ribelements 510, the posts 730, 731, the end portions of walls 641, 642,and the end portions 539 of the extension walls 535, 537. Two femalecoupling recesses for stud positions 852, 853 are formed between theinterior sides 520, 522 of respective side walls 406, 408, rib elements510, and the posts 730 and 732. Two female coupling recesses for studpositions 854, 854 are formed between the interior sides 520, 522 ofrespective side walls 406, 408, and the posts 732 and 733, the interiorside 524 of the back wall 404, and the rib elements 510. A femalecoupling recess for stud position 756 is formed between the posts 832and 833, rib elements 510, and the interior side 524 of the back wall404. A female coupling recess for stud position 857 is formed betweenthe posts 730 and 731, rib elements 510, the end portions of walls 641,642 and the end portion 539 of the extension walls 535, 537. A femalecoupling recess for stud position 858 is formed between the posts 730,731, 732, and 734.

The arrangement of the grid elements (for example, posts 730, 731, 732,and 734, the end portions of walls 641, 642, and rib elements 510) canbe positioned according to a non-standard ½ BU offset coupling grid asshown in FIG. 8C. The ½ BU offset coupling grid is shown by dotted linesand is the same as described above for FIG. 7C. In addition, all of thegrid elements shown in FIG. 7C are positioned in 8B in the same mannerusing the grid element alignment lines as described above for FIG. 7C,and therefore the description is not repeated here for brevity.

In addition, four additional rib elements are provided by forming ribelements 510 at each point in the square portion 802 where an elementalignment line intersects the interior sides of the walls in squareportion (for example, 520, 522, 524 of the walls 404, 406, and 408).

FIG. 8D shows an example illustrating multiple positioning possibilitiesof cylindrical, male coupling elements of another building elementaccording to a nonstandard ½ BU offset coupling grid for theconfiguration 800. A first position of the male coupling elements of a1×5 building element (corresponding to a standard 1 BU coupling gridalignment) for coupling with the jumper plate 400 is shown by the solidline circles 870, 871, 872, 873, and 874. A second position of the malecoupling elements of the 1×5 building element (corresponding to anon-standard ½ BU coupling grid alignment) for coupling with the jumperplate 400 is shown by the dashed line circles 875, 876, 877, 878, and879. According to the second position, the location and alignment of themale coupling elements has shifted ½ BU in the z dimension.

FIG. 8E shows another example illustrating multiple positioningpossibilities of cylindrical, male coupling elements according to anonstandard ½ BU offset coupling grid for the configuration 800. Themale coupling elements of a 1×4 building element in a first position(corresponding to a standard 1 BU coupling grid alignment) for couplingwith the jumper plate 400 is shown by the solid line circles 880, 881,882, 883, and 884. A second position of the male coupling elements ofthe 1×4 building element (corresponding to a non-standard ½ BU couplinggrid alignment) for coupling with the jumper plate 400 is shown by thedashed line circles 885, 886, 887, 888, and 889. According to the secondposition, the location and alignment of the male coupling elements hasshifted ½ BU in the x dimension.

FIG. 9A is a bottom view of an alternative configuration 900 of theunderside 490 of jumper plate 400. FIG. 9B is a lower perspective viewof the configuration 900 of the underside 490 of the jumper plate 400.FIG. 9C illustrates where male coupling elements of the first dimensionmay be received by the jumper plate 400. FIG. 9D illustrates multiplepositioning alignments of cylindrical, male coupling elements accordingto a nonstandard ½ BU offset coupling grid.

As shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D, the configuration 900 includes atapered portion 901 and a square portion 902. The tapered portion 901has the same configuration of elements as the tapered portion 501 ofconfiguration 500 described above with regard to FIGS. 5A-5C; therefore,the description is not repeated here for brevity.

The general configuration of the square portion 902 of the underside 490of jumper plate 400 in the configuration 900 is similar to the squareportion 602 described above for configuration 600. As described above, agenerally open area or cavity is formed between the interior sides 520,522 of the parallel side walls 406, 408 and the interior side 524 theback wall 404. In addition, four indentations 540 in the bottom surface503 of the top wall 401 are shown and positioned as described above.Similarly, two walls 535, 537 extend at right angles from the secondside 539 of the inner wall 506 from the tapered portion 901 into thesquare portion 902.

However, instead of a cross or x-shape, in this example two partialcircular walls 928, 929 extend orthogonally from the bottom surface 503of the top wall 402. The partial circular walls 928, 929 are positionedas the circular wall 530 where two opposite portions of the circularwall 530 are omitted or cut out to provide points of clutch for a femalerecess, with the remainder of the circular wall 530 forming partialcircular walls 928, 929 having an outer diameter of 6.62 mm. The partialcircular walls 928, 929 each have two end portions 930, 932 and 931,934. The end portions have a rectangular cross-section in the x-z planewith three sides of the cross section arranged at right angles to eachother forming an end of the rectangle.

In addition, two walls 641 and 642 extend orthogonally from the bottomsurface 503 of the top wall 402 and are formed as described above withregard to FIGS. 6A-6C. In addition, two rib elements 510 also are formedon the interior side of the back wall 404 in the same fashion, asdescribed above for the first portion 501 in FIGS. 5A-5C.

The configuration 900 includes ten female coupling elements of the firstcoupling size. The female coupling elements can be formed using a numberof grid elements including one or more of rib elements, end portions,and walls to provide points of clutch for the female recess elements.The female coupling elements are highlighted in FIG. 9C by circulardashed lines representing their interaction with cylindrical, malecoupling elements that can be received by the corresponding recesses.Three female coupling elements for stud positions 947, 948, 949 areprovided in the tapered portion 901, and seven coupling elements forstud positions 950, 951, 952, 953, 954, 955, and 956 are provided in thesquare portion 902.

Two female coupling recesses for stud positions 950, 951 are formedbetween the interior sides 520, 522 of the side walls 406, 408, the endportions 930, 931, the end portions of walls 641, 642, and the endportions 539 of the extension walls 535, 537. Two female couplingrecesses for stud positions 952, 953 are formed between the interiorsides 520, 522 of respective side walls 406, 408, and the end portions932 and 933, the interior side 524 of the back wall 404, and the ribelements 510. A female coupling recess for stud position 954 is formedbetween the end portions 932 and 933, rib elements 510, and the interiorside 524 of the back wall 404. A female coupling recess for studposition 955 is formed between the end portions 930 and 931, the endportions of walls 641, 642 and the end portion 539 of the extensionwalls 535, 537. A female coupling recess for stud position 956 is formedbetween the two partial walls 928, 929.

The arrangement of the grid elements (for example, end portions 930,931, 932, and 934, end portions of walls 641, 642, and rib elements 510)can be positioned according to a non-standard ½ BU offset coupling gridas shown in FIG. 9C. The ½ BU offset coupling grid is shown by dottedlines which form rows 960 in z dimension and columns 961 in the xdimension. The grid is formed as described above with regard to FIG. 5C.According to the ½ BU offset coupling grid, a female recess of the firstcoupling size is centered at the intersections 965 of each row 960 andeach column 961 within the tapered portion 901 and the square portion902. Grid elements are laid out according to the nonstandard ½ BU offsetcoupling grid where the grid elements are positioned along grid elementalignment lines (shown by dashed lines) that are parallel with andlocated at the midpoint between adjacent rows 960 and adjacent columns961.

The rib elements 510 in the tapered portion 901 and square portion 902are formed as described above as are the end portions of walls 641, 642.The end portions of the circular walls 930, 931, 932, and 934 arepositioned at the intersections of the grid element alignment lineswithin the square portion 902 where (for example, the center point ofthe square formed between a pair of adjacent rows and columns of the ½BU offset coupling grid). In one example, the partial circular walls 928and 929 are terminated at the end portions 930, 931, 932, and 934 asdetermined by the intersections of the grid element lines with circularwalls 928 and 929 where one of the two grid element alignment linesforming the intersection crosses through one of the two corners of therectangular cross section and the other of the two grid elementalignment lines forming the intersection crosses through the other ofthe two corners of the rectangular cross section. As a result, theterminated end portions 930, 931, 932, and 934 form points of clutch fora female recess.

FIG. 9D shows an example illustrating multiple positioning possibilitiesof cylindrical, male coupling elements of another building elementaccording to a nonstandard ½ BU offset coupling grid for theconfiguration 900. The male coupling elements of a 1×4 building elementin a first position (corresponding to a standard 1 BU coupling gridalignment) for coupling with the jumper plate 400 is shown by the solidline circles 970, 971, 972, and 973. A second position of the malecoupling elements of the 1×4 building element (corresponding to anon-standard ½ BU coupling grid alignment) for coupling with the jumperplate 400 is shown by the dashed line circles 975, 976, 977, and 978.According to the second position, the location and alignment of the malecoupling elements has shifted ½ BU in the x dimension.

Toy construction sets include a number of building elements of varioustypes, for example, parts, pieces, and/or accessories, that may beassembled, disassembled, reassembled, and reconfigured countless timesand in different configurations to provide hours of enjoyment,entertainment, and creative stimulation. The following descriptionillustrates how the special building elements described above may beused in combination with other building elements in both standard andnon-standard, fractional offset coupling alignments thereby providingadditional options, designs, and creativity for builders.

FIG. 10A is a top view of an example of a jumper plate combined withanother building element. FIG. 10B is a side view of the jumper platecombination of FIG. 10A. FIG. 10C is a bottom view of the jumper platecombination of FIGS. 10A and 10B. FIG. 10D is a bottom view of thejumper plate and building element of FIG. 10A combined in a differentposition.

FIGS. 10A-10D show a jumper plate 400 with underside 490 inconfiguration 900 combined with a 1×6 plate 1001. As shown in FIGS. 10A,10B, and 10C, the third, fourth, and fifth male studs of the 1×6 plate1001 are inserted in the female recesses of jumper plate 400corresponding to stud positions 942, 954, and 955 shown in FIG. 9C. Asshown in FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C, the studs of the 1×6 plate are offsetby ½ BU in the z dimension from the studs 414, 415, 416, and 417 of thejumper plate 400. However, the third stud of the 1×6 plate 1001 is in 1BU alignment with stud 418 of the jumper plate 400 (as stud 418 is ½ BUoffset in the z dimension from studs 414, 415, 416, and 417). Inaddition, as shown in FIG. 10B the third, fourth, and fifth studs of the1×6 plate 1001 are aligned with the studs 414, 415, 416, and 417 in thex dimension.

FIG. 10D shows the jumper plate 400 with underside 490 in configuration900 combined with the 1×6 plate 1001 in another position. As shown inFIG. 10D, the third, fourth, and fifth male studs of the 1×6 plate 1001are inserted in the female recesses of jumper plate 400 corresponding tostud positions 943, 951, and 953 shown in FIG. 9C. In addition, thethird, fourth and fifth male studs of the 1×6 plate are in 1 BUalignment with the studs 415 and 417 of the jumper plate 400 in both thex and z dimensions and the third stud of the plate 1001 is ½ BU offsetin the z dimension from stud 418 of the jumper plate 400.

FIG. 10E illustrates the combination of a set of building elements of atoy construction building set using the jumper plate to offset alignmentbetween multiple building elements of the set.

FIG. 10E includes a set of at least three building elements: a jumperplate 400, a 1×6 plate 1001, and a 2×6 plate 1002. As shown in FIG. 10E,studs of the 1×6 plate 1001 are inserted in recesses of jumper plate 400to combine building elements 1001 and 400 of the set. In addition, studsof jumper plate 400 are inserted in recesses of 2×6 plate 1002 tocombine building elements 1002 and 400 resulting in a set of threecombined building elements.

As shown in FIG. 10E, the 2×6 plate 1002 and jumper plate 400 arecombined according to a standard 1 BU coupling grid. However, the 1×6plate 1001 and jumper plate 400 are combined in an offset ½ BU couplinggrid since the plate 1001 is offset by ½ BU in the z dimension whilemaintaining 1 BU alignment in the x dimension. As a result of thecombination of plates 1002 and 1001 using intermediary jumper plate 400to facilitate the combination, the alignment between plate 1002 andplate 1001 is also offset by a ½ BU in the z dimension while maintaining1 BU alignment in the x dimension. Therefore, when used in combinationwith multiple other building elements of a toy construction set, thejumper plate 400 provides a designer more choices when combiningbuilding elements by allowing a designer to “jump” relative alignmentsin the z dimension, the x dimension, or both the x and z dimensions whenusing the jumper plate 400 in combination with multiple other buildingelements.

FIGS. 11A-11E show various views of another orientation for thecombination of the 1×6 plate 1001 and the jumper plate 400 along the zdimension of the tapered portion of the jumper plate 400. In theseexamples, studs of the plate 1001 are inserted in the recesses of thetapered portion 401 of the jumper plate 400. As shown in FIGS. 11A, 11C,and 11E, the alignment of the 1×6 plate 1001 and jumper plate 400 isshifted ½ BU in the z dimension to provide a non-standard offset ½ BUcoupling alignment. As shown in FIGS. 11B, 11D, and 11F, the alignmentof the 1×6 plate 1001 and jumper plate 400 is shifted ½ BU in the zdimension relative to FIGS. 11A, 11C, and 11E to provide a standard 1 BUcoupling alignment. Of note, the cutout portions 124 of the non-parallelwalls 410 and 412 allow shifting of the 1×6 plate along the z dimensionof the tapered portion in combination of the jumper plate 400 byremoving any potential interference of the non-parallel walls 410 and412 with the studs of the 1×6 plate.

FIG. 11G shows an example of another orientation for the combination ofthe 1×6 plate 1001 and the jumper plate 400 along the z dimension of thetapered portion of the jumper plate 400. In this example, the stud 418of the jumper plate 400 is inserted in a recess of the 1×6 plate 1001.As a result, the alignment of the 1×6 plate 1001 and jumper plate 400 isshifted ½ BU in the z dimension to provide a non-standard offset ½ BUcoupling alignment relative to studs 414, 415, 416, and 417 and astandard 1 BU coupling grid relative to stud 418.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are bottom views of the combination of a jumper plate400 combined with another building element illustrating standard andfractional offset alignments. As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, a jumperplate 400 with underside configuration 800 is combined with a 1×5 plate1201. As shown in FIG. 12A, the second and third studs of plate 1201 areinserted in the stud positions 854 and 855 of jumper plate 400 shown inFIG. 8E resulting in a combination of the plates 400 and 1201 in astandard 1 BU coupling alignment. As shown in FIG. 12B, the second andthird studs of plate 1201 are inserted in the stud positions 852 and 853of jumper plate 400 shown in FIG. 8E resulting in a combination of theplates 400 and 1201 where the 1×5 plate 1201 is offset by ½ a BU in thex dimension in a non standard ½ BU coupling alignment.

FIG. 13 is an upper perspective view of an example of a jumper plate 400combined with another building element illustrating a standardalignment. As shown in FIG. 13, a jumper plate 400 with underside 490 inany of the configurations 500-900 is shown combined with a 4×6 plate. Inthis example, the 4×6 plate is combined with the jumper plate is astandard 1 BU alignment. Of note, the cutout portions 124 of thenon-parallel walls 410 and 412 allow combination of the jumper plate 400with the 4×6 by removing any potential interference of the non-parallelwalls 410 and 412 with the studs of the 4×6 plate.

FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of an example of a jumper plate 400combined with another building element illustrating an offset alignment.As shown in FIG. 14, the jumper plate 400 with underside 490configuration 900 is combined with a 1×1 plate 1401. The one by oneplate is located in the recess for stud position 956 as shown in FIG. 9Cin a fractional offset coupling alignment. In this example, the 1×1plate 1401 is fractional offset by ½ BU in both the z and x dimensions.

A number of exemplary implementations have been described. Nevertheless,it will be understood that various modifications may be made. Suitableresults may be achieved if the steps of described techniques areperformed in a different order and/or if components in a describedcomponents, architecture, or devices are combined in a different mannerand/or replaced or supplemented by other components. Accordingly, otherimplementations are within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adapter building element of a toy constructionsystem, the adapter building element comprising: a first side includinga plurality of coupling elements of a first type, at least two of thecoupling elements of the first type arranged in a 1 building unit (BU)grid on the first side and at least one of the coupling elements of thefirst type arranged in a fractional BU grid on the first side; and asecond side different than the first side, the second side including aplurality of coupling elements of a second type, at least two of thecoupling elements of the second type arranged in the 1 BU grid on thesecond side and at least one of the coupling elements of the second typearranged in the fractional BU grid on the second side; wherein thesecond type of coupling element is configured to form an interferencefit with the first type of coupling element and each of the couplingelements of the first type and each of the coupling elements of thesecond type have a standard coupling size.
 2. The adapter buildingelement of claim 1, wherein the first type of coupling elements are malecoupling elements and the second type of coupling elements are femalecoupling elements.
 3. The adapter building element of claim 1, whereinthe first type of coupling elements are cylindrical studs and the secondtype of coupling elements are recesses at least partially defined by oneor more grid elements extending from the second side.
 4. The adapterbuilding element of claim 3, wherein the one or more grid elementsinclude one or more rib elements, posts, and walls.
 5. The adapterbuilding element of claim 1, wherein the at least two coupling elementsof the first type are arranged in the 1 BU grid on the first side bybeing centered on a grid so that a center of each coupling element ofthe first type arranged in the 1 BU grid is 1 BU from a center of anynearest coupling element of the first type arranged in the 1 BU grid. 6.The adapter building element of claim 1, wherein the at least twocoupling elements of the second type are arranged in the 1 BU grid onthe second side by being centered on a grid so that a center of eachcoupling element of the second type arranged in the 1 BU grid is 1 BUfrom a center of any nearest coupling element of the second typearranged in the 1 BU grid.
 7. The adapter building element of claim 1,wherein a center of each coupling element of the first type arranged inthe 1 BU grid is aligned with a center of each coupling element of thesecond type arranged in the 1 BU grid along a connection axis of theinterference fit.
 8. The adapter building element of claim 7, whereinthe connection axis is perpendicular to the surface of the first side.9. The adapter building element of claim 1, wherein the fractional BUgrid is a ½ BU grid.
 10. The adapter building element of claim 1,further comprising a wall extending orthogonally from the first side,the wall having one or more cutouts, each cutout defining an opening inthe wall, where the wall opening is sized and configured to receive acoupling element of the first type arranged in the 1 BU grid.
 11. Theadapter building element of claim 1, wherein the second side is oppositethe first side.
 12. A toy construction system comprising: a plurality ofbuilding elements, the plurality of building elements comprising: aplurality of standard building elements, each standard building elementincluding one or more coupling elements of a first type and couplingelements of a second type, wherein the coupling elements of the firsttype are arranged in a 1 building unit (BU) grid and the couplingelements of the second type are arranged in a 1 BU grid; and at leastone adapter building element comprising: a first side including aplurality of coupling elements of a first type, at least two of thecoupling elements of the first type arranged in the 1 BU grid on thefirst side and at least one of the coupling elements of the first typearranged in a fractional BU grid on the first side; and a second sideopposite the first side, the second side including a plurality ofcoupling elements of a second type, at least two of the couplingelements of the second type arranged in the 1 BU grid on the second sideand at least one of the coupling elements of the second type arranged ina fractional BU grid on the second side; wherein the second type ofcoupling element is configured to form an interference fit with thefirst type of coupling element.
 13. The toy construction system of claim12, wherein the first type of coupling elements are male couplingelements and the second type of coupling elements are female couplingelements.
 14. The toy construction system of claim 12, wherein the firsttype of coupling elements are cylindrical studs and the second type ofcoupling elements are recesses defined by one or more grid elementsextending from a side of the building element.
 15. The toy constructionsystem of claim 14, wherein the one or more grid elements include one ormore rib elements, posts, and walls.
 16. The toy construction system ofclaim 12, wherein a center of each coupling element of the first typearranged in the 1 BU grid is aligned with a center of each couplingelement of the second type arranged in the 1 BU grid along a connectionaxis of the interference fit.
 17. The toy construction system of claim12, wherein the fractional BU grid is a ½ BU grid.
 18. The toyconstruction system of claim 12, wherein a construction set is formed byattaching a first standard building element to the first side of theadapter building element and a second standard building element to thesecond side of the adapter building element.
 19. The toy constructionsystem of claim 18, wherein: coupling elements of the first type on thesecond standard building element engage at least one of the couplingelements of the second type arranged in the fractional BU grid on thesecond side of the adapter building element; and coupling elements ofthe second type on the first standard building element engage at leastone of the coupling elements of the first type arranged in the 1 BU gridon the first side of the adapter building element.
 20. The toyconstruction system of claim 19, wherein when the construction set isformed, the coupling elements of the second type on the first standardbuilding element are offset by the fractional amount of the fractionalBU grid from the coupling elements of the first type on the secondstandard building element.